Magician in Type-Moon

Page 182

Shirasumi Rio, on the contrary, spoke to herself with great interest:

"The only person who knows about this place is Mr. Araya, right? But he shouldn't be so easy for you to catch."

As she spoke, Shirai Junri shook her head, denying her previous guess.

"Wait, there's another guy who knows too, isn't it that guy, Minato Keita?"

"That guy is really stupid. He hid for so long but still got caught? He was hiding from me pretty well before. Where did you guys catch him?"

"You talk too much nonsense, you stinking corpse."

Ryougi Shiki, employing a strategy of stalling for time, attempted to provoke Shirasumi Rio with her words, hoping to prevent her from developing the urge to run away.

However, Ryougi Shiki, who had never done anything like this before, said something rather incoherent.

Seeing this, Matou Ike had no choice but to take on the task himself.

He has found the conditions to "kill" Shiraishun Rio, but he still needs some time to prepare.

"Do you know about the high school girl who committed suicide? Bai Chun."

Shiro Jun Rio, who was still somewhat hurt by Ryougi Shiki's insults, paused for a moment upon hearing Matou Ike's words, and then said:

"Isn't that what Mr. Araya is doing right now? He tricked me into coming here and locking me up so that I wouldn't cause any trouble."

"How much do you know about that matter?" Matou Ike continued to ask, as if he regarded the other party as his intelligence spy.

Shirai Junri plucked a strand of her blonde hair, thought for a moment, and said:

"I don't know much about that matter either. Mr. Araya did it secretly without telling me, but it seems to be related to a ritual."

"Ritual? What ritual? Is it a summoning, barrier, curse, spirit invocation, or Root ritual?" Matou Ike shrugged.

Shirai Rio cooperated by raising her head to look upwards, clearly trying to recall:

"I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard words like 'future,' 'past,' and 'roots' that you mentioned before. It's like we're trying to get the root out of the hole using some kind of technology."

"I don't really understand the specific methods, but Mr. Araya is really obsessed with that thing called Root. He's quite an oddball."

Upon hearing this, Matouchi's pupils contracted. "Get the source out of the hole?"

It's like retrieving jewels that have fallen into a pit.

Furthermore, the Vortex of Origin is a book that records the beginning of all things, the cause, process, and end of all things, a book as old as the universe itself.

But at this moment, Shiro Junri talked about the Root as if it were a precious jewel, as if the Root had already become a tangible existence.

The root of entities?

Thinking of this, Matou Ike glanced silently at Ryougi Shiki beside him.

Could it be that?

That's right, the root that Bai Chun mentioned refers to Ryougi Shiki, which is what Araya Sōren has been pursuing ever since he came to Kanbushi City.

Bai Chun simply didn't understand the connection, which is why she said that.

The meaning of bringing the root out of the hole might be to allow the root form to emerge.

But what exactly do the future and the past refer to?

Is it a means to reveal the root cause?

There's too little information; there are some things I can't figure out.

But the answer must lie in the high school girl's suicide case. This is what Araya Sōren is currently doing, and he has even locked up Shirasumi Rio for fear of interference.

Bai Chun, feeling somewhat bored as Matou Ike remained deep in thought, couldn't help but speak up:

"Your Holiness, I have already answered your questions. Now, shouldn't you answer my question? Where did you find that idiot Minato Keita? I searched for him for a long time but couldn't find him."

Interrupted by Shiro Junri, Matou Ike didn't mind and simply said:

"Didn't I already tell you? It was at the scene of that high school girl's suicide that he tried to eat the body, but we found him, and then all that was left was his head."

————?

"What are you saying?" Shirai Junri was completely stunned.

She seemed to have gone mad, forcing back a self-deprecating smile. Shirai Junri hugged herself, as if she were supporting her trembling body.

"No way, no way, no way!"

"—How did he get there?"

"You didn't lie to me?"

Matou Ike simply nodded, quietly watching Shirasumi Rio.

As a disciple of the Death Apostle, Shiro Junri was sweating profusely.

"I see, haha, I see. Mr. Araya really loves to joke around. He made a silly little move. It's all thanks to him that I was able to meet the person I least wanted to see so early."

After taking deep, silky breaths, Shirasumi Rio finally calmed down.

"I'm so sorry to have shown you this side of me."

"What do you mean by Araya Souren's little tricks?" Ryougi Shiki, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke.

Bai Chun said these words while chuckling.

"Well, how should I put it?"

"Actually, I've also stolen and eaten corpses. In the past two months, things have been in an uproar outside. The commotion caused by personally killing people would be too great."

"And since the Holy Son has been tracking my whereabouts, I have no choice but to steal some 'food' from Mr. Araya in order to fill my stomach and cover my tracks."

"But Mr. Araya found me and said that my behavior had disrupted his plans. He forbade me from stealing the bodies of girls who had committed suicide and locked me up here. Although he feeds me regularly, it is still so lonely."

At this point, Matou Ike understood what Shirasumi Rio meant.

If Araya Souren really imprisoned Shirasumi Rio because of her theft of a corpse, then she wouldn't have let Minato Keita, who subsequently stole corpses, go unpunished.

In other words, Araya Souren already knew about Minato Keita's existence.

This also aligns with Matou Ike's previous speculation.

Araya Sōren does not want Shiraijun Rio to find Minato Keita and then become the true progenitor of death.

But there's one thing that Matou Ike hasn't figured out yet.

Why would Araya Sōren stand by and watch Matou Ike capture Minato Keita alive, thus obtaining a clue to Shirasumi Rio's location?

"Actually, I didn't intend to eat Keita. After all, after completing that ritual, no one knows whether I will still be myself."

Bai Chunli suddenly spoke, as if complaining, or perhaps sighing.

"But what Araya-san did was really heartbreaking. I still respected him as a teacher."

Bai Chun placed his palm on his chest, as if he wanted to twist his chest apart, and increased the pressure on his palm.

He then sighed deeply and continued:

"Let's negotiate, Ryougi Shiki and the Holy Child. I think we can still talk about our matters."

Chapter 235 Negotiations break down

Ryougi Shiki stopped her attack and stared coldly at Shiro Jun Rio, her blue eyes devoid of any emotion.

Her sword was still not sheathed, and the blade was still dripping with the blood she had just slain when she killed the blood beast.

Matou Ike stood beside her with a faint smile on his face, as if waiting for Bai Jun to continue speaking.

For him, the negotiations at hand were just another opportunity to gather information.

Shirai Rio's hand was still pressed against her chest, her expression complex and conflicted.

His voice was low and deep, as if he were recounting a painful experience.

“Mr. Araya… he always treats us as pawns, using our trust to achieve his goals.” His tone was tinged with sadness, but his eyes were still filled with confusion. “Even so, I still hope that we can resolve our dispute through negotiation.”

He slowly raised his head, his gaze shifting between Ryougi Shiki and Matou Pond:

“I know you are a formidable opponent, but in this endless struggle, perhaps we can find a mutually beneficial path instead of continuing this senseless killing.”

Ryougi Shiki's sword twitched slightly, seemingly undecided about Bai Chun's suggestion.

Matou Ike still wore that slightly playful smile, as if she was willing to give the other party one last glimmer of hope.

"You want to negotiate?" Matou Ike finally spoke, his tone tinged with indifference. "Then state your conditions and see what you can offer that will interest us."

“You’re both smart people,” Bai Chun said calmly, as if discussing the weather. “Instead of continuing to fight, why don’t you sit down and talk? After all, there are still many things we can negotiate.”

He slowly lowered his hand from his chest, as if the movement was merely to stretch his body.

Then, he snapped his fingers lightly, and a faint smell of blood filled the air, as if reminding the other party that this was still his territory and he was still in control.

"I can help you deal with Araya Sōren, isn't that enough of a condition?"

Shirai Junri wore a half-smile on his face, his eyes revealing an unfathomable calmness; he was very confident in his methods of self-preservation.

They seemed somewhat emboldened.

Matou Ike narrowed his eyes, carefully examining Shirasumi Rio.

I could only sense a disconnect between the person in front of me and a vague sense of madness and composure, with their emotions constantly shifting.

One moment excited, the next grieving, then mad, then cold-blooded.

It's like stuffing different personalities into one brain.

Perhaps this is because the souls she devoured have not yet been fully digested.

Negotiating or even cooperating with this kind of person is like throwing yourself into a fire.

Nobody knows when this kind of guy will suddenly go crazy and stab you in the back.

However, Matou Ike didn't mind using this negotiation, which was proposed by the other party, to buy some time.

The preparations are still underway, and to avoid being noticed, we can only proceed slowly.

Matou Ike thought to himself, a thoughtful expression on his face, as if he were really considering Shirasumi Rio's suggestion.

Shiro Jun Rio seemed oblivious to Matou Ike's intentions, continuing to look at him confidently, as if she controlled the conversation.

Matou Ike slightly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a cold smile, her gaze fixed on Shirajun Rio's ever-changing face.